Henry Cainglet

Henri Cainglet: Defying the norms and changing art’s form

 

April 18, 2011 / E-2 

Text by VINCE G. LOPEZ 

It is the constant chang­es that occur in life that make life more interesting. 

While some strug­gle coping with the changes, visual artist Henri Cainglet embraces change to further improve his already impressive art works. 

“Being an experimental artist, I don’t stick to one media alone. I easily get bored doing the same thing over and over again. I strongly believe that constant change enhances my personal development and artistic creativity,” explained Cainglet. 

Creating Complexities 

Raw materials from the usual places are turned into exquisite art in the hands of Cainglet. But it’s not the usual sculptures or the com­mon depiction of beauty that made this artist stand out in the indus­try. 

As a matter of fact, it’s how he defied the norms and how he challenged the depiction of art that caught the critic’s atten­tion to his works. 

“I always try to be original as much as I could. This way, my works will get eas­ily noticed. Like when I first exhibited soft sculptures at Ayala Museum in 1995. That’s where I was first noticed with a nice review by critic Cid Reyes and Alice Guillermo,” shared the art­ist. 

Art critics are enamored on how Cainglet uses raw materials and turn them into revitalized ones. It is the innate talent of the artist that allows him to create an enigmatic work of art which can come from scraps of wood, shells from his travels or a vision from his imagination. 

“Doing both abstract and figurative works always fascinates me and by injecting them with something Fili­pino or by being an Asian artist gave me some satisfaction and fulfillment,” said Cainglet.

 

Raw, Thaw and Figures 

Hailing from Bohol, Henri Cainglet started his passion with the arts at an early age. It was during his grade school years that he first dabbled with colors and figure. According to him, his passion for the arts might have come from his grandparents who were also inclined in the arts. 

“After two years in college taking agri-technology, that’s when I realized fine arts is my vocation and started tak­ing art lessons under Fernando Sena, the late Ray Albano, Phyllis Zaballero, Dick Daroy, to name a few,” relays Cainglet. 

“I started as an artist profession­ally in1985 via my first one man show at Hilton Art gallery owned by the late Virginia Ty Navarro, sculptress of the famous EDSA Shrine. In fact, she was the one who discovered me,” added Cainglet

. 

Taking an entirely different course of life from the course that he took in college contributed to how Cainglet approaches his art. His sculptures, paintings and depictions of beauty and life are deeper than the conventional arrangements and colors or traditional art. 

Art critics describe Cainglet’s work as something that not neces­sarily comes from any specific school of thought. They are neither abstract expressionism nor abstraction. It is through this process that the artist is able to come up with impressive and enchanting visual art works that engage the viewer’s senses as well as perception.

 

Experiences and Experimentations 

As an experimental artist, Cainglet dabbles on various media and strays away from repeat­ing himself when it comes to his series of works. 

“My favorite medium is acrylic and the use of indigenous materials. Themes of my artworks depend on my moods and I have to see to it also that I have never done that series before,” explained Cainglet. 

The artist further explains by saying, “Most of my artworks were inspired by my culture, in my being a Filipino, my travels, dreams and futuristic ideas. They convey mostly hope, changes, and environmental concerns, among others. Specific themes vary from year to year, tackling street vendors during the early years, to European travel series including Art Against AIDS shown in 1993 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.” 

But it was back in 1988 that Cain­glet had one if his memorable experi­ences as an artist. It was back then that Cainglet received an offer to study at Sonoma State University in Califor­nia to learn more about art. 

It was a defining moment for the artist not only because of the chance to further im­prove on his already wonderful works of art but also a sign that his works are getting world­wide attention. 

Indeed, his works have become interna­tionally acclaimed as he recalled another de­fining moment in his career.

 

“Another memorable experience was during my solo show at the Na­tional Gallery of Malay­sia of the same year. The Prince and Princess of Malaysia opened my show where they arrived on a Rolls Royce with the red carpet starting from the gallery up to the car park,” recalled Cainglet.

 

“Being an international artist and having exhibited in New York, Seattle, San Francisco, Oakland, Amsterdam, Berlin, Vienna, New Delhi, Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia made me proud. My experience proved to the whole world that a lowly artist from this side of the planet can make it anywhere no matter what,” concluded Cainglet.